A visit to Draktsho East

Now my project in the very east of Bhutan has finally begun—the one I have been waiting for so long. I was supposed to fly to Yonphula domestic airport in Trashigang, in the far east of Bhutan, on 18/04, but the flight was cancelled. Flights from Paro to Yonphula are often affected by bad weather. Luckily, when I tried again the next day, everything worked out and I was able to land in Trashigang.

In hindsight, I am even glad the first flight was cancelled, as I would otherwise have missed a great opportunity. While waiting at the airport, I spoke with some Bhutanese passengers on the same flight, and it turned out that one of them worked at Draktsho, a vocational training centre for youth with disabilities. I had heard of the centre and had planned to visit it in Thimphu. However, he suggested visiting the larger and more interesting centre in Trashigang. He immediately made a few calls and arranged for us to visit just two hours after landing, even organizing a taxi. Although he could not join us, everything was perfectly set up.

The visit was very insightful, and I was impressed by their work. The centre hosts nearly 70 youth and young adults with diverse disabilities. They begin with basic life skills and academic training, including Bhutanese sign language, as many students are deaf. Others use wheelchairs or have Down syndrome, visual impairments, or cognitive challenges.

Students can choose to learn tailoring, traditional arts and painting, embroidery, weaving, or wood carving. They progress at their own pace, with individualized support. Their crafts are sold in a shop, and advanced students can earn money from their work. Until recently, graduates had to leave the centre; some managed to sustain themselves, but others returned home without integrating into the job market. Encouragingly, Draktsho East has now created a protected work unit, allowing those who cannot enter the labour market to stay and continue working.

Most students live in boarding facilities, where they also learn daily chores. What stood out most was the strong sense of community. With students aged roughly 10 to 25 and older, the older ones support the younger, creating a noticeably warm and supportive atmosphere. The craftsmanship too was impressive, and it is inspiring to see how the centre enables students to develop skills and confidence—something many might never experience otherwise.

However, one notable gap is the absence of integrated therapies, which seems like a missed opportunity. The person who arranged our visit mentioned that attempts had been made to introduce therapy services, but challenges prevented implementation. This is something I plan to explore further once I am back in Thimphu, as it raises important questions about both barriers and potential.